City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
Safety is where Jacksonville and Oakland split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 284 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,979 in Oakland.
This is a genuine split. Jacksonville wins on cost of living and safety and Oakland wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Jacksonville at $1,465 average has pockets that run $1,265 and others at $1,865: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Jacksonville and Oakland are 2,362 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $514 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $101,600 in Oakland, up $31,728 (45%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 434 in Oakland, up 284 points (189%).
The move
Oakland and Jacksonville are 2,362 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $514 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $31,728 (31%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 150 in Jacksonville, down 284 points (65%).
Jacksonville, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Oakland, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Jacksonville and Oakland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 26% cheaper than Oakland
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Oakland
$1,979/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,979 in Oakland, so Jacksonville is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $514/month back in your pocket ($6,168/year). Over five years that's $30,840 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Oakland, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Jacksonville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Jacksonville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
45% higher
Oakland's median income is 45% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Oakland
Winner$101,600
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 45% higher in Oakland (about $31,728 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Oakland is the stronger labor market on paper. Jacksonville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
65% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 65% lower than Oakland
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 65% lower in Jacksonville. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Jacksonville is the easier city. Oakland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Jacksonville and Oakland are about even on typical weather.
Jacksonville
68°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oakland
68°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Jacksonville averages about 68°F (74°F highs); Oakland averages about 68°F (80°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Oakland sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Jacksonville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 26% cheaper here at about $1,465 a month. Choose Jacksonville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Jacksonville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 65% lower than Oakland (150 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Oakland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 45% higher here ($101,600). Start with Oakland if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Oakland carries the heavier crime signal on this page (15/100 safety vs 48/100 in Jacksonville). That 33-point spread matters more than the $514 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Jacksonville rent at $1,465/month is still below Oakland's $1,979, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,979 in Oakland.
Jacksonville clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Oakland deserves a serious look only when you already know the Oakland block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Jacksonville and Oakland, plus other cities in FL and CA.
